"Theseus…. Theseus…."
Theseus wakes up groggily. His vision was murky at first, but when it finally stabilized, the first thing he saw was Pirithous, standing over him.
He ignores it and rolls to his side, hoping more sleep would come. Pirithous, who is now tired of waiting, shakes his friend awake again. In annoyance, Theseus hits away his hand.
"What do you want?" he grumbled, fed up that his sleep was interrupted.
Pirithous only smiles.
"It is time for us to go," he says.
When Persephone woke up, she could feel comforting warmth around her, but no Hades.
She sat up tiredly on the bed and began to look around. Clothes, more specifically hers, were ripped apart near the door, pillows had been thrown on the floor, and the bed itself was a destruction zone.
As she ran a hand through her long dark brown hair, she thought to herself about how wild he was last night. It seems that he had allowed some of his fury to show during their love-making yesterday. Although it was pleasant and full of ecstasy, it was really rough. But fortunately, she wasn't hurt. Hades would never let her get hurt.
She got out of bed and, after putting on a carmine silk robe, picked up the torn clothes and the pillows off the floor before calling for her personal maids to prepare her bath. As they both filled the small pool with warm water and her favourite sea salts, they make small talk with their queen.
"The lord has announced that there would be a special dinner tonight, milady. Please don't mind us, but what is it for?" one of the two maids, Aretha, asked her.
Persephone herself did not know why, until she realized that this may be part of his plan. She cringes at the thought of her half-brother walking into the Underworld, attempting to steal her from her husband.
"I have no clue, Aretha. But I am sure that it is important."
The maids left quickly soon after their task was done. As Persephone washed herself in the pool, breathing in the scent of freesia and feeling the silkiness of the oil from the sea salt on her skin, she thinks to herself, Oh my darling, Hades. Whatever are you planning now?
She walks to the most likely place he would be in; the throne room.
Opening the double mahogany doors and letting herself in, she finds him sitting on his intricately-designed ebony and gold throne with his right elbow on the armrest and his chin propped up on a fist, looking very deep in thought.
His face lights up when he sees her.
"My beautiful queen has awakened," he says, keeping his eyes on her but making no move as she walks towards him.
She blushes. Hades had this effect on her; she would blush at whatever compliment he gave her, even though they have already been married for a long time.
When she was right in front of him, she cups his face in her hands and tilts it up. She leans in and gives him a soft kiss on his lips, which he so eagerly returns.
When she lets go, he continues to gaze at her as she made her way to a similar black and gold throne on his right, this one with a few bits of jewel adorned in it.
"How are you this fine morning?" he asks her politely.
Straightening up her posture, she answers, "I have never felt better. You should really show that wild side during our nights more often."
He flashes a loving smile to her. "Of course I will, my love."
Then Persephone moves on to more pressing matters.
"My maid has told me that you are organizing a dinner tonight. Might I ask, what is the reason?"
His eyes harden after hearing the question. He turns away and mutters, "I can't tell you."
She huffed in annoyance. "Why? What is it that you can't tell me, your wife?"
"I am afraid that you won't approve of what I am planning," he whispers.
"It is about Pirithous, isn't it?"
She saw his hand clench into a trembling fist. Not wanting to make him upset, she places her hand on it, skimming his skin with her thumb.
"Like my father had said, do whatever you wish. I will not stand in your way. That mere half-breed does deserve punishment for saying all those nonsense about you."
A smile emerged on his lips. He grabs the hand that was on his and raises it to his lips.
"You truly are a wretched queen."
She smiles too and answers, "But I cannot compare to my wretched husband. So what is it that you are planning?"
The smile on his lips turned evil.
"You shall wait and see. I will strike him when he least expects it," he mutters darkly.
She raises an eyebrow, but does not ask any further. Instead, she changed topics.
"What is my role in this evil plan of yours?" she inquires.
His smile stays. "Nothing much. You just have to look like your normal beautiful self."
At first she was confused as to why she doesn't have to do anything. Until suddenly, everything began to click.
"I am the bait, aren't I?"
With that evil smile still plastered on his lips, he nods.